Pro-democracy activist Jatupat "Pai Dao Din" Boonpattarasaksa and five co-leaders of the People's Alliance for Democracy walked free on Friday as they were among some 30,000 inmates nationwide released by royal pardons marking the coronation of His Majesty the King.
Mr Jatupat was the first of 100 prisoners walking out of the Khon Kaen prison. About 1,000 supporters and his parents waited outside to welcome him. He was the focus of Thai and foreign media and well-wishers after being locked up for more than two years.
"Let me enjoy freedom first," the former Khon Kaen University student who graduated while in prison said when asked about his future plans. "I have to adjust myself to the new life first. After all, I had no freedom for a long while."
The former student activist showed his gratitude to the King for his royal pardons and promised to continue his fight for human rights.
"I've come so far and I won't give up as an activist," he said.
Mr Jatupat was imprisoned for two years and six months for lese majeste and violation of the Computer Crime Act by sharing a BBC Thai Facebook biography of the king in December 2016. He would have been freed on June 19 but His Majesty's royal pardons gave him the early release.
In Bangkok, four PAD leaders -- Pibhop Dhongchai, Somkiat Pongpaibul, Somsak Kosaisuk, and Suriyasai Katasila -- walked out of the Bangkok Remand Prison to the cheers of more than 200 supporters. Another key leader Chamlong Srimuang was later freed from the Corrections Department Hospital where he was treated for several illnesses.
